Community leaders to step up meetings to twice weekly

Community leaders to step up meetings to twice weekly

A joint statement on Wednesday made by the two community leaders, released by the United Nations, read:

“The Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Mustafa Akıncı, met under the auspices of the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General (SASG) Mr. Espen Barth Eide, on 8th June 2016.

“Building on their joint statement of 15th May 2016, they had a very constructive exchange of views on the methodology of the talks and agreed to intensify their negotiations.

“The two leaders decided to start meeting twice a week, beginning 17th June 2016, working to resolve the remaining outstanding issues in an agreed structured manner.

“They also used this opportunity to thank the Deputy SASG, Ms. Lisa Buttenheim, for her services in support of the process, during her almost six years in Cyprus, as this was the last time she participated in a leaders’ meeting.”

Both leaders met with Eide on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s meeting as both sides prepare to restore confidence as the Cyprus negotiations continue between the two communities.

President Anastasiades ask Eide on Tuesday to prepare a list of convergences, divergences and issues upon which no agreement had been reached to date, in the negotiations.

Cyprus Mail reports that President Akinci said that the Turkish Cypriot side was not seeking a confederate solution, adding that it was not right to claim that some of its views were geared towards that direction.
“Because we know that on this island it is possible to create a federal, bi-zonal, bi-communal, federation based on political equality,” he said.
Akinci said his side knew a confederal solution could not be achieved, but the Greek Cypriot side must also refrain unitary state approaches because it was not going to happen in Cyprus.
“We will found a unified state, a united federal Cyprus,” he said. The federation will consist of two constituent states whose powers, and the powers of the federal government, will be the issues discussed by the leaders during their meeting on June 17.